Richard S.
About me
| Richard S. | |
| Biology | |
| Biochemistry | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Halifax | |
| 2015 | |
| United Kingdom |
My employment
| PhD | |
| Dynamic Cell Biology | |
| University of Bristol | |
| United Kingdom | |
| 2015 | |
| 2019 |
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Biochemistry (year-in-industry) graduate doing PhD in Bristol
Why I continued studying
I enjoyed the research I had done so far, especially my industrial placement at Takeda, that I knew a PhD was what I wanted to do next. Moreover, doing a PhD would not limit me to research (although it aims to do that) but any job involving publishing, journalism, science writing, a PhD is what would be needed.
What my course is like
It involves a first year of lab rotations. I choose three labs and work for approximately 3 months in each. At the end I write a report and give a presentation of my work. The one I enjoy the most will then form my PhD for the remaining 3 years. In addition to the rotations in the first year, we also have tutorials twice a month, where we present and critique a recent paper from all areas of science, which improves presentation skills and analytical technique.
How I have funded my studies
The course is fully funded by the research council. All consumables and tuition fees are paid for and I get a salary out of it as well.
What I like most
The rotations are a big part of this course, which gives you more freedom and more time to decide what you want to do as a PhD, and potential career. It also allows you to get to know the supervisor and the lab to see if you get on with them as well.
My career goals when I graduated
I knew I always wanted to have a job involving science/problem solving, and after talking to people during my undergraduate degree, doing a PhD appealed to me the most.
My career history
Started BSc in Biochemisty in 2011. After my first year I emailed around the department to see if I could work with anyone over the summer. I wasn't holding out much hope, as a lot were busy. But a lecturer got back to me and said I could work with him. It was completely voluntary but was excellent experience and it convinced me that I wanted to do research. I applied for the industrial placement scheme, and secured a place at Takeda Cambridge. This was between my second year and final year. I worked on two projects; firstly, a fibrosis project, where I was screening potential drugs. Secondly, I conducted my own research into Alzheimer's disease. This was an amazing experience and further confirmed that a career in science (specifically a PhD) is what I wanted to do. Moreover, they offered me a funded PhD position at Cambridge (which I turned down for the Bristol PhD). During my final year I applied for the Wellcome Trust Dynamic Cell Biology course at Bristol, which I secured, and started in October 2015.
What has helped my career to progress
I believe that the voluntary placement after my first year helped me secure my year in industry. I also believe my year in industry helped my secure my PhD
Courses taken since graduation
Wellcome Trust PhD in Cell Biology
How my studies have helped my career
Obviously in order to get an interview for such a prestigious PhD position, grades play a part (usually 2:1 or 1st is required). In terms of specific knowledge I have learnt, it hasn't helped me that much yet. Except for understanding how science works in terms of the scientific method; data analysis, coming to/disregarding conclusions, knowing what your data means, how to interpret correctly, being a lot more critical etc... All these will be used daily in a PhD, or any science job for that matter.
Where I hope to be in 5 years
Doing a Post Doc, perhaps abroad somewhere
Other advice
If you want a career in science and want a PhD, then experience in the lab is the most important thing. Any chance you get to do some research, even if you don't enjoy the topic; I was recording fruit fly larve crawling over a petri dish for my 8-week placement in my first year, and knew that I didn't want to work with fruit flies again! - but that's ok, its all experience! Also any seminars that interest you, go to them! A broad range of interest and knowledge is definitley what is looked for in potential PhD students, and also an enthusiasm to want to learn new stuff beyond the bachelors course
Contacting me
I am more than happy to be contacted about anything relating to applying for science jobs/PhDs (I know I had a lot of questions and I know how helpful some advice can be!). I have quite a bit of experience in this and have helped loads of people with their applications. Also, if there are any questions about where/what PhDs to go for. Also about interview preparation/the sorts of questions etc... Also happy to proof-read CVs, cover letters, personal statements, or just general questions about PhDs, my career, how I got to where I am now etc...
Next steps...
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